South Oak Cliff defeats Frisco Emerson: Live score, Texas high school football state semifinal recap (12/8/2023)

South Oak Cliff took down Frisco Emerson in a battle for a spot in the UIL 5A D2 state championship

South Oak Cliff moved one step closer to a rare three-peat while denying Frisco Emerson the chance to play in the state finals in what is only the program's second year competing at the varsity level.

The Bears took down the Mavericks, 36-24, in the UIL 5A D2 semifinals Friday night at the Ford Center in Frisco to earn a spot in next week's state championship.

South Oak Cliff (13-2), which entered the playoffs ranked No. 12 in the state, has now won 12 games in a row since losing to nationally-ranked DeSoto and Duncanville in the first three weeks of the season. 

The Bears feature a two-headed monster in the backfield of Khalil Ewell and Danny Green, who both have more than 1,000 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns this season. Green rushed for two touchdowns in the state semifinals.

Frisco Emerson (12-3) was two wins away from capturing a state title in its second year competing at the varsity level. The Mavericks are led on offense by Oklahoma quarterback commit Michael Hawkins, who had racked up nearly 4,000 total yards and 53 touchdowns in the passing and rushing game entering the semifinals. 

SOUTH OAK CLIFF 36, FRISCO EMERSON 24 (FINAL)

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FOURTH QUARTER

-- South Oak Cliff recovers the onside kick attempt by Frisco Emerson. That should be enough to wrap up the win for the Bears. 

-- Frisco Emerson isn't going away quietly. The Mavericks march down the field and score on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Michael Hawkins to Kylen Evans. (South Oak Cliff, 36- 24 | 2:06)

-- William Little hits Rickey Evans for a 15-yard touchdown pass, and that should seal the victory for the Bears, who now lead by three scores with less than four minutes left. (South Oak Cliff, 36-17 | 3:33)

-- Time is running out for Frisco Emerson to make something happen. After punts by both teams, the Mavericks turn the ball over on a fumble by Michael Hawkins. The Bears have the ball deep in Mavericks territory with less than five minutes remaining.

-- South Oak Cliff puts together a lengthy scoring drive to get some cushion on the scoreboard. William Little connects with Daveon Ennis for a 14-yard touchdown pass to extend the Bears' lead. (South Oak Cliff, 29-17 | 10:59)

THIRD QUARTER

-- Great response by Frisco Emerson, as the Mavericks drive down the field and score on a 12-yard touchdown run by Ishaqq Bills. (South Oak Cliff, 22-17 | 5:11)

-- What a turn of events. On the first play following the turnover, Danny Green pops off a 70-yard touchdown run to extend the Bears' lead. The two-point conversion attempt is no good. (South Oak Cliff, 22-10 | 8:20)

-- The second play after the muffed punt, an errant snap results in a recovered fumbled by South Oak Cliff. The Bears take over at their own 30. 

-- Two words: Special teams. Frisco Emerson is forced to punt on its first drive of the second half, but the Bears muff the punt and the Mavericks recover all the way at the 20-yard line. 

-- South Oak Cliff starts the second half with a bang. Danny Green breaks free for a 62-yard touchdown run on the first play of the third quarter. The extra-point attempt is no good, keeping the Bears' lead at six points. (South Oak Cliff, 16-10 | 11:39)

SECOND QUARTER

-- The defenses stand tall again to close out the first half, and the teams head to the locker rooms at halftime with the score tied, 10-10. 

-- After punts by both teams, Frisco Emerson evens the score late in the first half with a four-yard touchdown run by Michael Hawkins. (Tied, 10-10 | 2:21)

-- South Oak Cliff erases the Frisco Emerson field goal with a field goal of its own after Marcell Gipson returns the ensuing kickoff all the way inside the 10-yard line. Diego Varela kicks a 26-yard field goal to push the Bears' lead back to seven points. (South Oak Cliff, 10-3 | 9:00)

-- Frisco Emerson puts three points on the board with a 14-play scoring drive. Pedro Pachecho hits a 24-yard field goal for the Mavericks' first points of the game. (South Oak Cliff, 7-3 | 10:08)

FIRST QUARTER

-- South Oak Cliff punts for the second time in two drives. Both defenses are playing fast tonight. Frisco Emerson starts this drive at its own 43.

-- The Mavericks move into South Oak Cilff territory, but the drive stalls and they're forced to punt. Still no points for Frisco Emerson through three drives. 

-- Emerson punts on its second drive, and South Oak Cliff does the same on its first drive. We'll see if the Mavericks can get something going here on their third drive.

-- Frisco Emerson starts the game on offense, and on the second play from scrimmage Michael Hawkins' pass is intercepted by Jayden Shelton and returned for a touchdown. What a start for the Bears. (South Oak Cliff, 7-0 | 11:46)

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(Feature photo by Robbie Rakestraw)